Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the UFC world is buzzing with controversy and drama! Did the UFC really supply one of its stars with banned substances? That's the explosive claim making waves, but the truth is far more nuanced—and just as intriguing. Let’s break it all down in a way that even newcomers to the sport can follow.
This Saturday, Las Vegas will host the return of one of the UFC’s most cherished veterans, a moment fans have been eagerly awaiting. But just as the excitement builds, the shadow of doping allegations looms large. Last week, Mohammed Usman, the brother of a former UFC heavyweight champion, was suspended by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) until 2028 after testing positive for banned substances. And here’s where it gets even more complicated: Usman’s suspension was extended by six months because he tried to mislead CSAD with a false explanation. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Amid this turmoil, UFC 324 star Derrick Lewis—known as ‘The Black Beast’—recently claimed he’s in the ‘best shape of his life’ ahead of the promotion’s first event of 2026. But his explanation for this transformation raised more than a few eyebrows. Lewis, who holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history, isn’t just a powerhouse in the Octagon; his post-fight interviews are legendary for their humor. Yet, his latest comments have sparked a firestorm.
On The Beast and the Cowboy podcast, Lewis stated that the UFC had ‘provided’ him with ‘some great peptides.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: Peptides are banned substances, and these comments caught the attention of Jeff Novitzky, the UFC’s senior vice president of athlete health and performance. Novitzky swiftly clarified the situation on X (formerly Twitter), stating unequivocally that the UFC did not provide Lewis with peptides. Instead, Lewis was referring to injectable compounds that are third-party tested and certified as allowed by TruShield Certified.
And this is the part most people miss: Lewis has no history of failing drug tests during his UFC career. In fact, he received a jacket from USADA in 2022 for passing 50 consecutive tests. So, if he’s not doping, what’s his secret? Well, Lewis has openly admitted to cheating in fights—but not through performance-enhancing drugs. His preferred method? Foul play. In a Q&A with Full Violence, Lewis confessed that his favorite way to gain an edge is by hitting opponents in the groin or poking them in the eye, then playing innocent. ‘That was an accident, man,’ he’d say with a straight face.
With Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes off the table, which UFC 324 fight are you most excited for? And what’s your take on Lewis’s controversial methods? Is foul play just part of the game, or does it cross the line? Share your thoughts in the comments below—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
LATEST NEWS: Fans are calling for a referee ban after a brutal slam KO forced an ex-UFC hopeful to call the fight. Plus, find out why Paddy Pimblett rejected two UFC offers before signing a $10,000 deal. Join our newsletter to stay updated on all things UFC, delivered straight to your inbox every week!
